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By the way, I've heard rumors that the Pats may be interested in spending a high pick on a LB and then transitioning Hightower to MIKE once Spikes' rookie deal is up. The draft pick would eventually take Hightower's spot and Hightower would be the MIKE basically. Don't know if it is true, but I think Spikes' rookie deal is up after next season.

By the way, I've heard rumors that the Pats may be interested in spending a high pick on a LB and then transitioning Hightower to MIKE once Spikes' rookie deal is up. The draft pick would eventually take Hightower's spot and Hightower would be the MIKE basically. Don't know if it is true, but I think Spikes' rookie deal is up after next season.

By the way, I've heard rumors that the Pats may be interested in spending a high pick on a LB and then transitioning Hightower to MIKE once Spikes' rookie deal is up. The draft pick would eventually take Hightower's spot and Hightower would be the MIKE basically. Don't know if it is true, but I think Spikes' rookie deal is up after next season.

I'd rather keep Hightower at SAM and move move Mayo to MIKE. Then the new LB could be a WILL with coverage skills.

That being said, I prefer no change at all to the starters. Maybe use a mid round pick on a coverage specialist to play some snaps in the nickel, but I like what we have in the Mayo-Spikes-Hightower trio. If Spikes can be signed reasonably I'd do it, since I think his contributions go beyond production - he plays with energy that gets the whole defense going.

But yeah, our entire draft is based on who leaves and who stays.
Talib, Welker, Vollmer, Edelman, Chung
CB, WR, T, WR/KR, SS

Chung is the only sure goner on that list. I'd say two of the others will be back, but which two?

Spikes seems to have cleaned up his act and I love how he's opponents are unsteady after he rocks them. Still in another couple of years he won't be able to cover the passing game at all. Probably should try and phase him out in the '14 draft.

6/27/09: “We expect [Rondo] to play by the rules and be a leader as a point guard. We need him to be more of a leader,” Ainge said. “There were just a couple situations where he was late this year, I don’t know if he was sitting in his car, but showed up late and the rest of the team was there. We have team rules and you have to be on time. He was fined for being late, he said he was stuck in traffic, and it’s just unacceptable.”

I'd rather keep Hightower at SAM and move move Mayo to MIKE. Then the new LB could be a WILL with coverage skills.

That being said, I prefer no change at all to the starters. Maybe use a mid round pick on a coverage specialist to play some snaps in the nickel, but I like what we have in the Mayo-Spikes-Hightower trio. If Spikes can be signed reasonably I'd do it, since I think his contributions go beyond production - he plays with energy that gets the whole defense going.

I agree with your thoughts on how it should shake out. I'm just passing along a rumor I heard, and rumors can be complete crap. It wouldn't surprise me if Spikes is not in the long-term plans though. New England has a good amount of young guys that they need to extend, and Spikes has his off-the-field issues to go along with some limitations on the field. I've really liked what he has done this season, but I understand the thinking behind the potential move.

#29- Jesse Williams (DT, Bama) is the ideal target.......5-tech DT to put alongside Wilfork in a 4-3. Probably good enough to take some of the burden off Wilfork in 3-4 sets, by mid-season. There are plenty of DT prospects to chose from, he is my favorite. Wilfork can't push the pile all game long.....DT is #1 priority for this draft/draft class

#59- I would love to see this pick get traded down in to the 70-range, to pick up a 4th/5th rounder......my target would be Chris Faulk (OT, LSU).....6'5 323. Dealt with a knee injury this season that sidelined him almost the whole year.....came in though as one of the top OT prospects in his class. This selection depends on his workout, but currently is getting a 3rd-4th round grade, and was a projected 1st/2nd rounder before his injury. He is definitely not quick enough to play OT, except in a reserve role......ideal candidate to step in a play LG......tremendous run blocker already, and I think playing Guard in the NFL for his first couple seasons, will allow him to "baby" any knee troubles he may have.

#91- Robert Lester (SS, Bama)- Not quite a Mark Barron prospect, but of the same style of big-time playmaker. His stats went down over the past two seasons, simply because offenses would not challenge him over the top.......allows us to say bye-bye to all 3 of Chung/Gregory/Arrington.

Re-sign Talib to pair with Dennard on the edges. McCourty/Wilson gets the start at the safeties. Dowling/Lester compete for Nickle duties and rotational CB/S depending on the offenses we match up with.

Wouldn't really make sense to draft any offensive lineman in the first two rounds in this year's draft unless Vollmer leaves IMO. Outside of that though it seems good. I've started to like Alex Okafor out of Texas a bit more lately.

Wouldn't really make sense to draft any offensive lineman in the first two rounds in this year's draft unless Vollmer leaves IMO. Outside of that though it seems good. I've started to like Alex Okafor out of Texas a bit more lately.

I like the idea of bringing in another edge rusher like Okafor to the Patriots. We don't have anything to go off on Bequette's progress, and our pass-rush was limited in many situations. It really hurt the Pats when Jones got hurt, and he also had grown into a great run-defender as well. Plus, even when Jones wasn't getting a ton of pressure on the QB, he was still a factor in the passing lanes with his long arms.